Apparatus for fitting inserts in separators



C. W. HAZELETT AND F. A. HOLT. APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS INSEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr.29,191s.

1,392,155. PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

6 SHEETSSHEET 1- INVENTORS. ELW. HA2. ELETT F. A. H U L '1" A TTORNEK C.W; HAZELETT AND F. A. HOLT.

APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS IN SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, 1918.

1,392, 155. PatentedSept- 27, 1921.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

I N VEN TORS. QMHAZBLETT ATTORNEY.

C. W. HAZELETT AND F. A. HOLT.

APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS IN SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, I918.

Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTORfi. B T/{HAZEL E 'I'T "q AHD LT ATTORNEY.

C. W. HAZELETT AND F. A. HOLT.

APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS IN SEPARATORS.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, I918.

1,392,155, PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

g".Et.Q 92

mg m (1% I INVENTORS 51w. HA2 E. L. E TT IJ BY W P. AJ-I n L T ATTORNEY-SHEET 5.

6 SHEETS umvroxa z ELE '1' T F. AHEIL'I ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept IIIIAVI/lI/II/II/AI CNV. Hi 11,, BY

0. W. HAZELETT AND FLA. HOLT. APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS INSEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, I918.

C. W. HAZELETT AND F. A. HOLT.

APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS lN SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr.29,1s1s.

1 392 1 55 Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

I N VEN TORS.

1;-WHA'ZELE T T By w RAJ-IDLT ATTORNEY:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE W. HAZELETT, 01' LAKEWOOD, AND

rnmcrs A. norm,- or CLEVELAND,

OHIO; ASSIGNORS TO NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC., A COREORATION OI NEWYORK.

APPARATUS FOR FITTING INSERTS IN SEIARATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept."27, 1921.

Application filed October 89, 1918. Serial No. 260,091.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, CLARENCE W. HAZELE'ITand FRANCIS A. Hour, citizens of the United States, and residents,respectively, of Lakewood, in the county of Cuya hoga and State of Ohio,and Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in ,Ap aratus for FittingInserts 1n Separators, 0 which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing separators forsecondary batteries having hard rubber or other hard acid resistinginserts fitted in a thin sheet of wood veneer or other perviousmaterial, as described and claimed in the patent to I. C. and- C. F.Williams, No. 1,265,284, dated May 7 1918.

Particularly the invention consists of apparatus adapted to form theinserts and fit them in a wooden separator which has previously beenplaned, grooved, cut to the required shape and treated in well knownways to secure a separator which in that form is in wide commercial use.

The object of the invention is to provide apparatus adapted to securelyfasten the insulating inserts in the wood separators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple mechanism adaptedto automatically and rapidly perform a number of operations which willbe fully set forth in the following description and illustrated in thedrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the Fig. 2 is a side view from the lef Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a central cross section of the punch frame used in Figs. 1 and2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmenta 'side view of the unch and die frames 0 Fig. 2 onan enarged scale.

Fig. 5'is a pseudo-perspective view of a plate resting on the base blockof F ig.- 4.

Figs. 6 and 7 are pseudo-perspective views of end blocks placed. andadapted to fit upon the front end of the plate of Fig, 5.

Fig. 8 is a pseudo-perspective view of an end block adapted to fit uponthe rear end of the plate shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an end view on a reduced scale of the plate of'Fig. 5.. I

Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view of a second plate adapted to befittedupon the plate apparatus. t o

of Fig. 5 between the end blocks, the former bemg on the same scale asFi 9.

Fig. 11 is an end view of tfie plate shown in F 1g. 10, in an uprightposition.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a sliding die plate which is placed betweenthe plates shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

of the sliding die Fig. 13 is an end view plate which fits within acasing formed b the plates of Figs. 5 and 10, the correspond in endviews being shown in Figs. 9 and 11.

ig. 14 is a plan view of a, third plate adapted to be arra ed betweenthe end blocks just over the gate shown in Fi 10.

Fig. 15 is a side view of the plate s own in Fig. 14.

' Fig. 16 is a cross section on the line AA of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the uppermost plate and adjacent guides shownin Fig. 4.

Fig. 18 is a cross section on the line B-B of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view of the lower rollers and the ratchet andgear drive for the rollers on an enlarged scale, the mechanism beingadapted to fit between the plates shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary end view with surrounding parts removed toillustrate the roller and ratchet feed.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of one of the upper rollers.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of one of the bearing blocks for therollers.

Fig. 23 is a somewhat diagrammatic cross 3 section of the feed rollersand plates, showing the essential relationship of the parts and with thepunch frame in operative re- Fig. 28 is an inverted plan view of a platefor use in the modification of Fig. 25 which combines the lements ofFigs. 10 and 12 of the arrangement first illustrated.

Fig. 29 is an end view of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a cross section of a se arator having the insertsincompletely em dded therein. I

Fig. 31 illustrates the manner in which rollers press the inserts levelwith the surface of the separators if the inserts are above the surfaceas in Fig. 30. r

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings a punch press is shown of a commoncommercial ty e and the elements and their operation W111 not bedescribed in detail except as they articularly concern the apparatus appied thereto and its 0 eration. It will be evldent in the course of thedescription that other types of punch presses could be used, or aspecial type of press could be designed for the particular service,without de arting from the spirit of the invention, ut the press shownherein has been found to embody the essential requirements and is moreeconomical than it would be to embody applicants apparatus in a specialpress.

The primary parts of the punch consist of base standards 1, 1 which canan upper framework 2, 2 having a plat orm 3 arranged across the frontconnecting the sides 2, 2 of the upper framework. At the upper ends ofthe members 2, 2 bearings are arranged for a crank shaft 4 having acentrall located eccentric crank pin 5. The crank 13 intermittentlyrotated y means of a belt driven fly wheelfi adapted to be connected tothe shaft by means of a suitable clutch 7 which is controlled by apivoted foot lever 8 connected to the clutch by the control rods 9 and10. When the foot lever is held down the crank shaft 4 will rotate withthe fly wheel 6 until the foot is removed, and the fly wheel and crankshaft will be thrown out of engagement when the crank pin 5 reaches itsuppermost position, in a well known manner by means 0 suitable mechanismwell known in presses, which, however, need not be described herein, asthe method of control and mechanism is not novel and no claim is made tothese elements except as features more or less essential in theoperation of applicants combination. 7

A punch head 11 movable up and down between guides 12 is connected tothe crank pin by means of a link 13. To the lower end of th punch head apunch frame shown in detail in Fi 3 is connected in any suitable manner.Ihe punch frame consists of an upper plate 14; having a hollow neck 15for attachlng to the punc head and a punch carrying plate 16 spaced fromthe upper plate by athick la er 17 of elastic material,

preferably soft ru ber. The plates 14 and 16 and elastic rubber 17 areheld together by means of the bolts 18, 18 passing therethrough. A bar19 threaded into the lower plate 16 passes through the hollow neck whichserves as a guide and in conjunction with the bolts 18, 18 acts asmeans. to main- -the rubber 17 is compressed tain the plates parallel toeach other when in a manner which will be described more fully. Fourpunches 20 are secured in the four corners of the bottom late in anyappropriate manner, although the invention is not limited to thisnumber.

In accordance with the present invention so-called hard rubber which isfed under the punches. For each punch a strip of rubber 1s provided,those on the left being designated by 21 and on the right b 21'. Thestrips are sufficiently flexible to coiled on separate rotatable reels22 from which they are unwound as the material is fed under the of thepinion so that it makes one half the number of revolutions of the punchcrank pin. A cam consisting of a groove 27 in the face of a plate 28fastened to the gear 25 operates an arm 29 pivoted at 30 by means of aroller 31 projecting from arm 29 into the groove 27. The camma bedivided essentlally into four parts 2 32, 32 and 32", 27 being acircular portion having its center coincident with the center of thestub shaft 26 and covering at least 180, so that when the roller is inthis portion of the groove 27 the arm 29 is not raised or lowend and thepunch crank pin makes one complete revolution. The portion 32 ap-'proaches the center and raises the roller 31 and arm 29 durin a periodsomewhat less than one-fourth o the period of revolution of the gear 25,and the roller then passes into a smaller circular portion 32 of shortradius before reaching a fourth portion 32" similar to the section 32and joining a ain with the large semicircular part, in w ich the rollerand arm are lowered to the original position. A rojecting end 33 of thearm is connected y a universal joint 34 to a depending link 35 having asecond universal joint 36 between it and a ratchet operating lever 37shown enlarged in Figs. 19 and 20. The ratchet lever is loosel fitted ona shaft 38 and has a dog 39 whic is depressed by means of a spring 40against a ratchet 41 keyed to the shaft 38. Asthe link 35 is raised andlowered the dog 39 on the ratchet arm 37 engages the ratchet tointermittently rotate the shaft 38. A crank connection 42 is fastened tothe oscillating the rubber inserts are punched from strips of punches.Two reels arelocated on each side 7 of the punch press and each ratchetlever 37 by keying it to a projecting stud 43 and serves to operate alink 44 pivotally connected thereto for a purpose to be more fullydescribed hereinafter.

On each side of the ratchet rollers 45, 46, formed on the shaft 38, arelocated in position to engage the strips 21 entering at the left of Fig.1 and coiiperate with two rollers 47 arranged immediately over therollers 45,

46 to feed the strips 21 intermittently. Bearings for the aforesaidrollers are provided by blocks 48 and two similar lower blocks 49 of theform shown in Fig. 22. These blocks have the central portion cut away toprovide a space 50 for the rollers, and have semicircular notched ends51, 51

adapted to fit the portions of the shaft 38" and the upper blocks 48 arefitted in grooves in a channel shaped frame 54, the location of whichwill also be set forth more fully hereafter. To ress the coiiperatingpairs of rollers toget er, a hole is arranged in each of the upperblocks 48'for receiving a spring 55 which is compressed to the desireddegree by means of set screws 56 threaded through the channel members54.

A similar arrangement of rollers is provided at the right hand side ofthe apparatus for feeding the rubber strips 21' and consists of lowerrollers 57, on a shaft 58 located in bearing blocks 59 cotiperating withupper rollers 60 in bearing blocks 61 slidable in grooves of the channel62. The corresponding pairsof rollers are similarly pressed together byset screws 63 and springs 64.

The rotation of the two roller systems is coiirdinated by means of ashaft 65 having similar spiral gears 66, 67 meshing respectively withgears 68, 69 on shafts 38 and 58 to provide mechanism adapted tosimultaneously feed strips 21 and strips 21' intermittently toward eachother at the same rate.

All of the feeding mechanism shown in Figs. 19 and 20 is combined withthe die mechanism in a manner which will be made clear in the followingdescription of the die arrangement. The plate 53 shown in Fig. 5 restsupon the platform 3 and has an irregular channel 70 providing bearings71 and space for the intermediate shaft 65, as well as depressions 72,73 for the spiral gears 66 and 67. Upon the plate 53 a strip 74. isfitted at the rear end and provided with suitable interlocking grooves,as well as a semi-.

78 serves as the up er part of the bearing for the front end 0 the shaft65. Between the end blocks 74 and the blocks 76, 77' is placed the plate79 (Fig. 10) which rests upon the plate 53 and the channel 80 providesspace for one-half of the shaft 65. Portions are cut away at 81, 81 forspiral gears 66 and 67 respectively; at 82, 82' for gears 68 and 69; at83 for shaft 58 and at 84 for the shaft 38 and its bearing blocks 45; at84 for crank arm 42 and ratchet wheel 41; and at 84" for ratchet lever37. The plate 53 has a wide central groove 85 (F 1 9) and plate 79 has asimilar groove 86 Fig. 11) which adjoins the groove 85 to provide aspace ada ted to form a guide for a sliding p ate 87 (Figs. 12 and 13).

The sliding plate 87 is connected by means of the link 44 to theoscillating crank 42' the same distance as the four punches 20 whichcoiiperate therewith.

A plate 90 shaped similarly to plate 87 has cut away ends correspondingwith those of the plate 79 for substantially the same purpose and isfitted in a similar manner between the end blocks 74, 76 and 77, thecombined thickness of the two plates being the same as the height of theblocks. A central slot 91 is cut in the lower surface of the previouslymentioned plate and is adapted to serve as a guide for passing aseparator thereth-rough, the top of plate 79 forming the bottom of theslit, the direction of said slit being from the front to the rear of thepunch frame. In the center of the slit a spring 92 is fitted for thepurpose of pressing the separator down against plate 79. A

second set of dies 93 spaced the same as the punches 20 and dies 88, isfitted in plate 90.

The top member consists of the two channels 54 and 62 (Figs 19 and 20)previously mentioned, and a plate 94 (Fig. 18) therebetween having aslit 95 similar to that in Figs. 14 and 15 and similarly placed exceptthat it is closed at the front end and has a pipe 96 tapped thereinwhich leads down to the base of the machine and is connected to a sourceof compressed air. The channels 54 and 62 and plate 94 have small slits97 for admitting the rubber strips which are fed into the space 95directly under four holes 98' for admitting the punches. In thediagrammatic-view (Fig. 23) the separator, dies and rubber strips areshown in operative relation, the manner of fastening the plate structurealso being illustrated. Broadly speaking, all of the plates are boltedtogether and to the base plate 3, except the sliding die plate, and themethod of bolting need not be fully described' In Figs. 1, 2 and 24 theapparatus for feeding the Separators into the slit 91 is,

shown. This consists of a bracket 99 bolted to the front of the presshaving a hopper or receptacle 100 thereon for the separators. Thebracket has'a grooved side 101 for a slide 102 which is adapted toreciprocate under the base of the Ipile to remove one separator at atime. etween the hopper 100 and the front of the slit 91 a roller 103 ismounted on lugs 104 and has a handle 105 projecting out at one side foroperating the roller whlch is spaced above the bottom 106 of the bracketa distance slightly less than the thickness of the separators. Therotation of the crank handle also serves to operate the slide by meansof a mutilated ar 107 which meshes with a spur gear 108 aving the samenumber of teeth as the mutilated gear so that one revolution of thecrank produces one revolution of the spur gear 108. This is transmittedto the slide by means of a crank 109 and a link 110 connected to a lug111 of the slide which projects through a suitable slot in the bottom ofthe bracket. In this manner one turn of the crank handle produces onecomplete back and forward movement of the slide to feed a separator tothe roller 103.

At the rear of the slit 91 a pair of rollers 113, 113 are pressedtogether by a spzing 114, the shaft of the upper roller 112 ing movablein a slot 115 to permit the distance between the rollers to be varied.The rollers are driven from the fly wheel shaft by means of pulleys 116,117 and belt 118 which drive the shaft of the lower roll 113, and themovement is transmitted to the upper by cog wheels 119, 120. Areceptacle 121 receives the separators as they come through the rolls.

In the modification of Figs. 25 to 29, the sliding die plate iseliminated by means of the following changes, although the remainder ofthe apparatus remains unchan d. Instead of the resilient insert, a sliing wedge 122 is fitted between upper and lower plates 123 and 124 whichare connected toether b means of bolts 125 and Fig. 25 threaded into thelower p ate and passing through the upper plate, havingcompressionsprings 127 ocated above the upper plate and held by the nuts128. The slidin wedge has a ton e and groove 'uide with t e lower plate,t e tongue 129 ing onthe lower plate and coiiperating with the groove ofthe wedge which fits between the dowel pins. As the upper punch plate123 is raised and lowered the wedge is pulled in or out at certainstrokes, as will be later set forth, by means of an arm 130 pivoted at131 to the frame 2. The arm is provided with a slot 132 coiiperatingwith a pin 133 extending from a lug 134 of the wedge. The arm 130,together with the pin 131 and wedge 122, are moved in or out by means ofins 126' fingers 135, 13c, attached to the link as. The fingers areadapted to enga an extension 137 of the arm 130 at suitab e times tocon-- trol the position of the wedge. .In view of the elimination of thesliding die, the plate 79 and the die plate 87 ma be combined as shownin Figs. 28 and 29, t e resulting plate 138 having stationary dies 139.The link 44 and crank 42 also are evidently unnecessary in thismodification.

At the commencement of the o ration of the apparatus the hopper 100 Wlllbe filled with separators and to feed the first separator under thepunches it will be necessary to turn the crank handle 105 through twocomplete revolutions to feed two so arators, and then through enough ofthe third revolution to place the feedm parts in the relative positionsshown in belng stopped when it is a proximately vertical. The hopper andslide do not feed the separators directly under the punching mechanism,but push each separator far enough to permit the roller 103 to engageit. The roller then pushes the se arator with which it is in contactthrough tl fe groove 101 and forces the preceding separator under thepunches. The distance between the roller and punching apparatus isselected so that when the separator is fed as far as possible by theroller, the preceding separator is roperly placed for the-punchingoperation. he slide is timed so that the next separator is not fed tothe roller until some time after the roller has disengaged theseparator, which permits the operator to turn the crank a certaindistance beyond the vertical position without disturbing the separatorwhich is under the punches.

In the present case the operator willbegin and complete the revolutionof the crank in a vertical position, although any position could beselected which would easily permit the operator to judge when arevolution has been completed. At this time the gears 107 and 108 shouldbe outof mesh, the mutilated portion of gear 107 being adjacent the gear108. The crank 109 and link 110 are in the position shown which placesthe slide 101 and separator 150 in a position where the separator isalmost ready to be engaged by the roller 103. The frictional engagementof the roller 103 has moved the separator 151 forward as far aspossible, and this pushes the preceding separator 152 into the slot 91of the plate 90 in position for punching. Although friction is generallysuflicient to prevent the separators from slidin too far in the slot, aspring 92 is provide to press the separator against the to of plate 7 9to prevent it from moving too ir.

After a separator is fedinto this position the punch is placed inoperation by depressing the foot pedal, causing the punches 2 0 todescend passing through suitable holes 98 in plate 94, through dies 93,and punching four holes in the separator by cooperation with the dies 88in the sliding Iplate 87. The

wood separators will be punc ed so readily that the resilient rubberplate 17 in the punch frame will scarcely be compressed when the punchesstrike the separator.

The sliding die plate is brought to the correct position to cooperatewith the punches as just set forth, by means of the cam 27 an linkmechanism consisting of the arm 29, link 35, lever 37, crank 42 and link44, which cooperate with the cam 27 to control the position of thesliding die plate. This position of the die plate is secured when theroller 31 is in the large semicircular art 27 of the cam whichmaintainsthe die plate 87 stationary during'the entire up and down stroke of thepunch head required to punch holes in the wood separator. During thenext reciprocation of the punch head the rubber strips 21 are fedforward quickly while the punch is going down by means of the portion 32of the cam 27 in conjunction with the arm 29, link 35 and ratchet lever37 which turns the ratchet wheel 41 through an angle suflicient to turnthe rollers 45 and 46 far enough to feed the rubber strips 21 forwardthe required distance. The manner in which the upper spring-pressedrollers 47 cooperate with the lower rollers 45 and 46 to feed the stri swill be apparent.

By means of the spira gearing 66, 68, 67

and 69, and shaft 65, the samefeeding movement is transmitted to therollers 57 and 60 to feed the strips 21 in from the opposite side towardthe strips 21. After the strips are fed forward the ratchet arm is heldstationary when roller 31 rides into the small circular part 32' of thecam.

While the rubber" strips are fed forward the'cooperation of the camsurface 32 and the link work previously described, will move the slidingdie plate 87 backward by raising the ratchet lever 37 so that theopenings 1n dies 88 are no longer in alinement with the punches 20.Meanwhile the punches 20 descend and punch four small circular insertsfrom the rubber strips 20 and 21' which are fed in over the dies 93through the slots 97 in the guide members 54 and 62 into the space 95.The waste material from the stri s is removed by means of the air blastapp ied to the space 95. This prevents any of the waste material fromthe strips accumulating therein and becoming pushed in over thedie. Theinserts are carried down through the dies 93 by the punches into thewooden separators, but

cannot be carried through because the openings in dies 88have been movedout of alinement with the punches so that the punches press theinserts'against the solid aces of the dies thereunder, and firmly insertthe hard rubber disks. On thefirst reciprocaface of the dies 88 when thetion of the punches to a... the holes 20 through these arators andslight y below. the face of the ies 88, to unch holes in the wood but onthe .secon reci' rocation the punches are forcibly stoppe by the reachthe top surface of the separator. T e difference in the length of thetwostrokes is taken up b the resilient rubber insert 17 in the punchead. While the punches 20 are raised the ratchet lever 37 is a' ainlowered by means of the section 32" of? the cam, and the slidlng dieplate 87 is again moved forward so that the openings are in alinementwith the punches. The inserts are thus fitted in place by tworevolutions of the fl wheel 6 and the crank shaft 4 operate thereby,WhlCh produces one revolution of the gear 25 and cam 27 connectedthereto. The operator then raises the foot lever 8.to operate the clutch7 and throw the crank sb,aft .4,

out of engagement with the fly wheel 6.

The next separator is then fed from the bottom of the hopper by turningthe handle 105 which brings the slide 102 and separator 150 forward, andthe roller 103 engages the edge of the separator which will then becarried forward by the rotation of the roller and will push theseparator 151 into the slot 91 and at the same time force out theseparator 152 which has just had inserts'a plied thereto. The gear 107is mutilate and adapted to rotate the car 108 through a completerevolution whi e in mesh therewith,

to permit the slide "to merely feed the sepa-' rator to the roller whichwillthen feed the separator forward by frictional engagement therewith.During the idle period in which in the separator, it is necessary topass the unches the positively rotated rollers 112 and 113 which serveto roll the inserts smoothly into the wood. I

i In the modification shown in Figs. 25 to 29, the slidin die plate, andconsequently the link mec anism for operating it, are eliminated. Theelimination of the sliding die is advantageous because the die openingmust be kept in exact alinemcnt with the punches and the wear of thelinks, cam and connecting pins makes this difiicult to maintain. a

The operation of the modified mechanism arm 130 which is moved in or outb is essentially the same as the former arrangement except that theslidin wedge 122 is moved in and out between t e punch members 123 and124 by means of the pivozfid e fingers 135 and 136' in engagement witthe projection 137. The up and down movements of the punch head andextension 134 of the wedge are taken care of by means of the slot 132for the pin 133. The wed e Will be drawn out of the desired point to sorten the effective length of the punch head or stroke on thereciprocation of the punch, which punches the inserts and fits them inthe wood. The shortening of the effective len h occurs during the t1mein which the rol er 31 rides in the portion 32 of the cam where the link35 is ra1sed.- The springs 127 serve to keep the wedge 122 and puncharts 123 and 124 in contact at all times. en the holes are punched inthe wood the roller rides in the semicircular part of the cam and thewedge is pushed in to lengthen the punch head.

This method of shortening the punch strokedoes not provide the resilientforce for pressing the disks into the wood against the hard metal face.of the die plate, but instead simply pushes them down into the holes inthe separator the required distance, the die openings 139 below makingit necessary to stop the punches before the disks are pushed too farthrough the wood. The relative positions of the inserts 141 andseparator are often about as shown in Fig. 28,

so that in this case the rollers 112, 113 are more essential than inthefirst modification, as they press the inserts down flush with thesurface as shown in Fig. 29.

Having described our invention, what we claim is 1. In apparatus of thekind described, the combination of a die, strip feeding mechanismadapted to deliver a strip there-to, a support for a blank to beoperated upon, a reciprocatin punch and means 006 crating therewithadapted to relatively ad iust the support and punch on alternate cuttingstrokes for the purpose set forth.

2. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die,intermittently operating strip feeding mechanism ada ted to deliver astri to the die, a su port or a blank to be acts upon, a secon diecooperating with said blank, a reciprocating punch cooperating with bothdies and means for adjusting the alternate cutting strokes of the punchto permit it to 006 erate withthe second die on alternate cuttmgstrokes.

3. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die,intermittently operated strip feeding "mechanism adapted to deliver astrip thereto, a support for a' blank to be operated upon, areciprocating unch adapted to cooperate with said die, an a reciprocating die cooperating with the punch and blank on alternatecutting strokes of the punch.

4. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a stationadie, intermittently operated strip fee ing mechanism adapted to delivera strip over said die, a horizontal support for a blank to-be actedupon, a vertically reciprocating punch adapted to cooperate with saiddle, and areciprocating die cooperating with the punch and blank onalternate cutting strokes of the punch.

5. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die, stripfeedin mechanism adapted to deliver a' strip t ereto, a support for ablank to be operated upon, a reciprocating punch adapted to operate uponthe strip and blank, and means oooperatlng with the punch and supportfor the blank,

adapted to space the punch from the blank on alternate cutting strokes.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die, stripfeeding mechanism adapted to deliver a strip t ereto, a support for ablank to be operated upon, a reciprocating punch adapted to operate uponthe blank and strip, and means cooperating with the punch adapted toshorten the length of alternate cutting strokes.

7. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die,intermittently oper ated strip feeding mechanism adapted to deliver astrip thereto, a support for a blank to be acted upon, a reciprocatingdie adjacent said blank, a reci rocatin adapted to cooperate wit theies, and means cooperating with the unch adapted to shorten alternatestrokes t ereof.

8. In apparatus of the kind described, the combinatlon of a die,intermittently operated strip feeding mechanismadapted to deliver astrip thereto, a reciprocatlng unch,

means cooperating with the punch to s orten the alternate strokesthereof, a reciprocating support and adie therein adapted to be placedout of alinement with the punch on alternate cutting strokes.

'9. In apparatus of the kind described, the combinatlon of a die, stripfeeding mechanism adapted to feed a strip thereto, a reciprocatingpunch, a resilient'insert in said unch, an abutment, and means forinserting the abutment in the path of the punch on alternate cuttingstrokes.

. 10. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a die,strip feeding mechanism adapted to feed a strip thereto, a resilientinsert in said punch, a second die, a slidable holder for the seconddie, and a support for a blank to be acted upon adapted to be moved inthe path of the punch to aline-the die and punch and compress the 7insert on alternate cuttin strokes.

iao

-having its die openin the combination of a die, strip feeding mechanismadapted to feed a strip over the die opening, a verticallyreciprocating-punch, a

resilient insert in said punch, a'horizontally slidable holder for asecond die adapted to be moved into the path of the punch to 'aline thedie' and punch and compress the resilient insert on alternate cuttingstrokes and a holder for a blank to be operated upon 10- cat between thefirst and second mentioned dies.

12. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a stationarydie, strip feedin 'me'chanism adapted to feed a strip over the dieopening, a vertically reciproeating punch, a support for a blank to beacted upon, means cooperating with the suport and punch capable ofrelatively adusting the same on alternate working strokes, a second die,means for movin said second die to place it in alinement wit the punchon alternate cutting strokes, and

means for operating the strip feeding mechanism intermittentl to feed astrip over the f rst mentioned die on alternate cutting strokes. 1

13. In apparatus of the kind described, a framework having a supportingbed, a die plate slidable thereon, a reciprocatingpunch adapted tocooperate with a die in sal plate to form an opening in the blank whichis to be operated upon on the first cutting stroke of the punch, asecond stationary dle plate in alinement with the punch, means forceding a strip of material over said stationary die opening afterforming the opening in the b ank, means for moving said sli able dieplate to close the opening in the blank after the first cutting stroke,and a unch head having a resilient insert therein adapted to cooperatewith the slidable die 'plate to shorten the second cutting stroke.

14. In apparatus of the kind described a framework having a supportingbed, a ie plate slidable thereon, a reciprocating punch cooperating withthe die plate, means for moving the die openings into alinement with thepunch on alternate cutting strokes, a stationary die plate, said dieplates being spaced apart and adapted to receive therebetween a blank tobe operated upon, strip feeding mechanism adapted to feed a strip overthe second mentioned die openings, and

means for intermittently operating said strip feeding mechanism to feeda strip over the second mentioned die opening on alternate cuttingstrokes of the punch.

15. In apparatus of the kind described, a punch head, a block forholding the punch,

a layer of elastic material between the block 1 and punch head, andmeans passing through the head, layer and block and retaining said partsin slidable relation.

16. In apparatus of the kind described, a

framework having a sup orting bed, a die plate slidable onthe b areciprocating punch adapted to cooperate with the die plate on the firstcutting stroke of'the punch, a stationary die plate ada ted to cooperatewith the punch, said die p ates being spaced apart and adapted toreceive a blank to be operated upon therebetween, means forintermittently feeding a strip'of material over the stationary dieopening, means for reciprocating thesaid slidable plate whereby the dieopenings therein are alternately placed in and out of alinement with thepunch, and a punch head having a resilient insert therein adapted tocooperate with the sliding die plate to alternately change the length ofthe stroke.

framework having a supporting bed, a die plate slidable thereon, meansfor feeding blanks to be operated upon over said die plate, areciprocating punch adapted to cooperate with the die plate on the firstcutting stroke' of the punch to form an opening in the blank, astationary die plate above the movable die plate and spaced therefrom toform a guide for the blanks, means for intermittently feeding a strip ofmaterial over the stationary die opening, and a punch head having aresilient insert therein adapted to cooperate with the sliding die plateto alternately change the length of the stroke.

18. In apparatus of the kind described, thecombination of at frameworkhaving a supporting bed, a reciprocating punch,

means for operating said punch, a two to one gearing connected to saidoperating means,

able die plateto form a guide for the blanks,

means for intermittently feeding a stripof material over the stationarydie opening,-

and means cooperating with the reciprocating punch adapted to shortenthe length of the alternate cutting strokes.

19. In apparatus of the kind described, a framework having a supportingbed, a plurality of reciprocating punches, means for simultaneouslyreciprocating said punches, a two to one gearing connected to saidmeans, a die plate having a number of dies therein corres onding withthe punches, said plate being 5 idable on the supporting bed andoperated by the two to one gearing to place the die openingin alinementwith the punch on alternate cutting strokes, means or feeding blanksintermittently over the die plate, a stationary die plate spaced fromthe movable die plate to form a guideway for the blanks, means forintermittently feeding a strip of material over each of the die openingsof the stationary die plate, said feeding means'being actuated when themovable dies are out of alinement with the punch, a reciprocating punchhead and means adapted to shorten the length of alternate cuttingstrokes.

20. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a frameworkhavi a supporting bed, a plurality of reciprocating punches, means forsimultaneously reciprocating said punches, a two to one gearingconnected to said means, a die plate havin a number of dies thereincorresponding wit the punches, said plate being shdable on thesupporting bed and operated by the two to one gearing to place the d1eopenings in alinement with t e punch on alternate cutting strokes, astationary die plate spaced I from the movable die plate to form aguide- -for intermittently feedln way for blanks to be operated upon,means a strip of material over each of the opemngs of the stationaryplate, said strips being fed in on opposite sides of the supporting bedand simultaneously toward each other, a reciprocating punch head, andmeans cooperating therewith adapted to shorten the length of alternatecutting strokes.

21. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a supportingbed, a die plate slidable thereon, means for feeding blanks over saiddie plate, means for holding the blanks against the die plate, areciprocating punch, a stationary die plate above the movable die plateand spaced therefrom to form a guide for the blanks, and means forintermittently feeding a strip 22. In apparatus of the klnd describe thecombination of a reciprocating punch, a guideway for plates to be actedupon, a die below said guldeway cooperating with the punch and platesadapted to form'an opening therein, an intermittently reciprocatingslide ada ted to feed blanks from the ideway, sai slide being operatedto eed a blank to the guideway on alternate cutting strokes of thepunch, strip feeding mechanism, and a second die cooperating with the ofmaterial over the stationary d1e opening. 7

strip and punch, said dies and guideway comprising a passage for aninsert punched from said strip adapted to permit the insert to beconveyed to said opening in the plate by the punch. v a

23. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of areciprocating punch, a guideway for plates to be acted upon, a die belowsaid guldeway coiiperating with the punch and plates adapted to form anopening therein, an intermittentl reci rocating slide adapted to feedblanks m the 'deway, said slide being operated to eed a blank to the'guideway on alternate cutting strokes ofthe punch, strip feedingmechanism, and a second die cotiperating with the strip and punch, saiddies and guideway comprising a passage for an insert punched from saidstrip adapted to permit the insert to be conveyed to said opening in theplate by the punch, and a pair of rollers cooperating with the guidewayto receive blanks having inserts therein and adapted to press saidinserts smoothly into the separators.

24. In apparatus of the kind described, a pair of die plates, means forfeeding a separator between the die plates, means for feeding strips ofmaterial above the upper plate, a plurality of reciprocating punches,means adapted to alternately operate said punches to punch holes in'theseparator and strips, and means for shortening the stroke of the unchwhich acts upon the strips.

25. n apparatus of the kind described, a -pair of stationary die lates,means for feeding a blank between t e die plates and forfeeding stripsof material above the die plates, a reciprocatin supporting the unc apunch head, a wedge between t e punch head and punch plate, and meansfor moving the wedge between said punchhead and punch plate to shortenthe alternate cutting strokes of the punch.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto ailix our signatures.

C. W. HAZELETT. F.. A. HOLT} punch, a plate for

